The Sandman, Vol 3, Dream Country by Neil Gaiman

The Sandman is a mythical character in Northern European folklore who brings good dreams by sprinklingmagical sand onto the eyes of children while they sleep at night.

I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m an obsessive person however when I find something I like I can go over the top just a little. Currently I’m having one of my ‘moments’ in relation to the work of Neil Gaiman. Thanks to other bloggers recommendations I finally came to read Neverwhere last year and absolutely loved it. I’ve since read another couple of his books and more recently have decided to look at his Sandman work. Now – there are a lot of these and frankly I didn’t really know where to begin (doh! the beginning, probably) but whilst I was in the library last week they actually had volume No.3, Dream Country, available so I thought it would be rude to pass it by!

So, just finished reading Dream Country. Now I realise that I probably should have read these in order but this was the only edition in the library so… basically, beggars can’t be choosers. And, that being said I think this is probably not a bad place to start as this particular edition has four separate, short unrelated stories as follows:

Calliope – a story of a writer suffering from writers’ block who comes into possession of an ancient muse. A dark tale of torment and captivity.

Dream of a Thousand Cats – a strange tale of a cat who travels to the realm of Dreams in search of answers.

Midsummer night’s Dream – a tale in which Shakespeare’s company really do put on a royal performance for some very distinguished guests.

Facade – a story of a young woman, who visits the Sun God Ra – with, for her, disastrous results.

I don’t normally read short stories, not sure why, probably because I don’t feel like I have the opportunity to connect and also I rarely read comics – the most recent being the first few editions of Game of Thrones.

However, I enjoyed this experience the tales were all a little creepy and the graphics were just fascinating to look at – in fact it took me far longer than it should have done to read this because I was mesmerised by the artwork. It really is a visual treat. I realise this isn’t probably the best of the Sandman series and probably not representative of how the rest of the series plays out but I thought it was really good. It was like visiting the Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt and being given a few dark and twisted stories to give you the shivers and make you reflect on things.

My favourite was the Midsummer Night’s Dream which was without a doubt a joy to look at and entertaining to read.

I’ve only had a small taste of the series but it was definitely enough to make me want to read more. Although I think I’ll go back and read them in order, take my time and savour!

I don’t think I have been in a library which hasn’t had the Sandman graphic novels. The first two are definitely connected with a linear story and are entertaining and there is even a cross-over with a certain Liverpudlian trickster!

I think it must be very popular because I checked the catalogues and the library doesn’t have all 10 volumes (think two are missing from the collection) but, only No.3 was available.
Gaiman – very popular!
Lynn 😀

I know what you mean. I think I need to seek help – I have to find a way of walking past books! The good thing about The Sandman is it’s very easy to read and quick really! I did love the graphics and another great way for Gaiman to display his strange and wonderfully creepy imagination.
Lynn 😀

Grace, the first two volumes are brilliant. I can’t even explain to you how brilliant. Do give it a chance when you get the time.
Although, I should warn you. Once you start, you end up getting a little obsessive. 😛

I loved Calliope and the one with the cats. I’m not much of a short story person, though, and I didn’t like this one as much as volume 1 and two. Volume four, again, was brilliant. Sadly, I stopped at five, and I haven’t been able to locate six in a library. And each volume is so expensive. 😦
I dream of a day when I’d be able to afford all the volumes of The Absolute Sandman and I’d build them a shrine, and they’d be the first things I looked at every morning, and my day wouldn’t be complete until I kissed their spines.

I’m definitely not a short story person for some reason – maybe I should give them a chance but I don’t really see it happening for me.

I read a review of the Dream Country and the reviewer was saying it wouldn’t matter when/where or in what order you read the third one because it was just four short stories – so I don’t feel too bad about reading it first. I think I have a feel for maybe what’s to come and I’ve had this gentle intro. I thought Calliope and the cats were really good – wasn’t as keen on the Sun God story, loved the Midsummer’s Night. I really must try harder to read Shakespeare. I have all his books and have started various of them over the years but never completed any. I could say it’s because they’re plays so I like the visual experience as well??
Lynn 😀

That’s a good point. If you had started with any other volume, I think it would feel a little, okay very, incomplete. This one is kind of a stand-alone volume in comparison. And you did like it, yes? So you know Sandman is for you. I know a few people who think it’s a little too disturbing, but I think it comes with the Neil Gaiman territory. 🙂

I can see why some people would find it a little dark but I quite like ‘dark’ so it suits me very well. Apparently these had a high female readership? I’ve put Vol.1 on order at my library. They don’t have the full 10 volumes but I’ll see how far I can get on.
Lynn 😀